Time is fast running out for those who want to take part in Woodworks! one of the county's most popular annual attractions.

Individuals, charities, businesses and organisations that derive their inspiration, livelihoods or materials from native wood, British woodlands or the British countryside are being invited to be part of Woodworks 2008 – the Forest of Marston Vale's annual festival of trees, wood and woodland related crafts, trades, people and knowledge.

The event, now in its sixth year, will take place at the Forest Centre and Millennium Country Park, Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire on September 6 and 7.

"Woodworks! offers a fantastic opportunity for participants to promote their business," said Alexis Pym, event organiser at the Forest of Marston Vale.

"Last year's event attracted over 5,000 visitors and featured over 65 trade stands and exhibitors, many of whom reported a rise in sales thanks to the introduction of our new, on-site 'cashback' facilities.

This year we hope to attract even more traders along to this popular and unique family event, conveniently located just off the M1 between Bedford and Milton Keynes."

For 2008, organisers are delighted to welcome back the British Lumberjack Sports Association, who thrilled last year's crowds.

New for 2008 is the Woodworks 'Carve-Up' a spectacular group display of chain-saw speed carving culminating in a daily Woodworks' auction and, with music a vital element of Woodworks, organisers have once again joined forces with FAB Nights Promotions to present an outstanding line-up featuring some of the UK's finest folk musicians.

Visitors can enjoy a diversity of displays and demonstrations given by clog makers, traditional carpenters, horse loggers, falconers, and coracle makers; find out more about tree care and forestry; 'have-a-go' at archery, bushcraft, basket making, thatching, wood turning and more; and browse an array of stalls selling arts, crafts, furniture, tools and local produce.

Exhibition stands cost from £75 for the weekend, with discounts available to charities – applications must be made May 30.

For an application form, contact event organisers, Alexis Pym, Forest of Marston Vale: 01234 762614 or Jackie Brown: 01787 221830 or visit www.marstonvale.org/woodworks



Notes to Editors

Further information from: Jackie Brown, Publicity Adviser, Forest of Marston Vale: 01787 221830
or Alexis Pym, Forest of Marston Vale Tel: 01234 762614

Woodworks!
Via Woodworks! the Forest of Marston Vale aims to promote the positive impact of trees to the environment, people and wildlife; to showcase new uses for wood; to promote the importance of trees and woodlands to the local economy; to demonstrate the renewable nature of wood; to promote the importance of trees to wildlife; and to showcase traditional crafts, tree and woodland management.

The Forest of Marston Vale is a forty year programme for the environmentally-led regeneration of a degraded area, using trees and woodlands to transform 61 sq miles (16,000 ha) of the Marston Vale in Bedfordshire, repairing a landscape scarred by decades of clay extraction, brickmaking and landfill. The Marston Vale Trust is the registered charity dedicated to the delivery of the Forest of Marston Vale, one of England's 12 Community Forests, and is working with a range of public and private sector partners to transform the Marston Vale, creating woodlands and wild places for people and wildlife to enjoy for generations to come.

Located in Marston Moretaine, the Forest Centre and Millennium Country Park are at the heart of the Forest of Marston Vale. Created with over £2m funding from the Millennium Commission, they comprise a visitor centre, café, gift shop, exhibition and extensive conferencing facilities, set in 250 hectares of woodland, wetland and open space for people to enjoy.

As well as providing the focus of the Community Forest, the Forest Centre operates on a commercial basis to generate revenue to support the Forest of Marston Vale. The establishment of The Marston Vale Trust and the Forest Centre have enabled the Forest of Marston Vale to become a highly successful social enterprise – an organisation that is entrepreneurial and which generates income through business activities to meet its social and environmental objectives. With no shareholders to take dividends, all profits are ploughed back into the environmental regeneration of the Vale.

The National Community Forest Initiative
The Forest of Marston Vale is one of 12 community forests being created across England. The Community Forest Programme was initiated by the Countryside Agency and the Forestry Commission in 1990. The Forests cover large areas on the edges of towns and cities where major environmental improvements will create well wooded landscapes for wildlife, work, recreation and education. Farmers, landowners and the local community will be able to shape community forests for their own work and leisure and that of their children and grandchildren.
The Forests are planned and managed to achieve a wide range of environmental and community benefits, including landscape improvement, wildlife conservation, agricultural diversification, recreation provision, employment generation and environmental education. www.marstonvale.org